Majority of cars in the US use automatic transmission of gears. Automatic transmission has been around since the 1920s but only rose to popularity in the 1950s when it was introduced in the car industry. An automatic transmission enables a car to change gears without needing the input of a driver through mechanical gear shifting. Because of the ease and convenience it offers, it has become a mainstream preference of the majority of car owners in America.
Types of Automatic Transmission
There are three types of automatic transmission. They all have the same function of changing gears automatically but use different mechanisms.
Dual Clutch Transmission(DCT)
A dual clutch transmission is a hybrid system that incorporates both automatic and manual transmission. Unlike other variants of automatic transmission, a DCT does not use a torque converter. It draws its name from the two clutches that actuate two separate shafts which the transmission system uses to change gears. One shaft changes gears to odd-numbered gears and the other to even-numbered gears. A DCT allows a driver to shift from one gear to another within split seconds and transition from automatic to manual transmission seamlessly.
Automated Manual Transmission(AMT)
An automated manual transmission uses a mechanical clutch just like a manual transmission. The difference is that on an AMT, the movement of the clutch is not actuated by the driver but automated using electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic systems. Cars that use an automated manual transmission allow a driver to have an option for either a fully automatic forward gear shift or a manual shift. This option can be chosen using a gear selector or paddles and buttons attached on the steering wheel. An automated manual transmission is also called a direct shift gearbox(DSG) or a sequential manual gearbox(SMG).
Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT)
While most manual and automatic transmission shift gears using conventional stepped gear ratios, a CVT maintains continuously variable drive ratio. Using a combination of belts, pulleys and sensors rather than conventional gears, it is able to maintain a constant and steady acceleration curve with no interruption for gear shifts. This allows a CVT to keep its engine running at an optimum power range resulting in increased efficiency and fuel economy.
Advantages of Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission is widely popular among car owners in America. According to studies by CarMax, 96% of car owners in America drive automatic transmission and the figure speaks volumes. Here are some advantages owners of automatic transmission cars enjoy.
Ease of Use
Automatic transmission cars are easy to drive. Because the vehicle shifts the gears by itself you don’t have to pay as much attention to the transmission system. All you need is to focus on the road and the spaces you have to maneuver in when in traffic. This makes it significantly easier to drive automatic transmission cars than cars that use manual transmission.
Comfort of Driving
As automatic transmission requires very little input from drivers, it makes driving more comfortable. When there is no need to actuate a clutch pedal and time it with gear changing, there are less things to worry about while driving. This is a relief for most car owners. The freedom and convenience provided by automatic transmission significantly enhances the comfort of driving.
Power Difference
Surprisingly, the mild mannered nature of automatic transmission makes a car more powerful than its manual counterpart. Manual transmission uses a mechanism to change gears which increases friction which is unconducive to efficient transfer of power. The distribution of generated torque from the source is also not as efficient in a manual transmission compared to an automatic. An automatic transmission optimizes both gear changes and torque generation at much higher efficiency. This allows the engine to perform at a maximal range resulting in more power.
Faster Acceleration
Gear shifting is achieved at much higher speed and seamlessly in automatic transmissions. The clutches are placed at close proximity in automatic transmissions, when the accelerator is engaged, the transmission system responds faster resulting in quicker and smoother acceleration. Automatic transmission also prevents untimely and damaging habits of gear shifting which is common among novice drivers.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned above, automatic transmission offers many advantages to car owners while driving. For a commuter who spends multiple hours every day driving to and from work, the comfort, convenience and other benefits of automatic transmission cars could be life changing. If you’re looking for a replacement or an upgrade from your current automatic transmission system to something more powerful and more advanced like a 4l80e automatic transmission, Gear Star is the place to visit. They have a range of automatic transmissions that will drastically enhance the performance of your car.
